Can anyone identify this fragment

Whistle
1

I keep playing a fragment of a tune on the whistle. I am not sure where it came from. Can anyone identify it? It goes:

dum-diddly-dum-di-dum, diddly-dee-di-dum-di-dum.

But I am not sure that the ending is right. I guess its a lot to expect that someone would recognise it, but its worth a try…

2

If memory serves, it sounds a bit like the main theme from the “Lord of the Rings” soundtrack.

3

How about this … Howard Shore, LOTR I, OST, Fellowship of the Ring - 02 - Concerning Hobbits (excerpt):

http://www.box.net/shared/uco7me0kjl

4

How about the “Silver Spear”?
Dick

5

Thanks for the suggestions MTGuru, - I know the LOTR soundtrack quite well (we have the CDs and watch it once or so a year… sad muppets) and I am sure it isnt that.

I have just been through about half my collection of abc’s, and think I have found the one… though my rendition timing is slightly out. I have too many ABC’s and really need an engine that can search by pitch sequence.

X:7
T:cath cheim an fhia
M:4/4
L:1/8
K:D
Q: 60
S: Traditional Irish Tin Whistle Tutor - Geraldine Cotter
W: from Geraldine Cotters book
AF | “D” D<E D<D D D2 D/2E/2 | “Bm” FA Bc e d2 B |
“G” A<B F<E F E2 F | “G” AA BF A F2 E |
“D” DE DD D D2 D/E/ | “Bm” FA Bc e d2 B |
“G” AB FE F E2 E | “D” D2 D>D D2 A (3ABc |
“Bm” d>B c>de3 f | “D” d>B c>A (3Bcd ~ec |
“D” d>B c>a B c2 B | “D” AB ce d4 |
“D” F>D ED D D2 D/E/ | “Bm” FA Bc e d2 B |
“G” A>B F>E F E3 | “D” D>D DD D2 |


I can only find one rendition on the web - and it is not a version I find easy on the ears. Does anyone have a simpler version for me to listen to… (I can generate MIDI, but…)

Thanks to all.

6

The air of The Battle of Keimaneigh is a pretty wellknown one, I admit though when I heard the first few bars of your clip I thought ‘here’s the feckin hobbit again’.

There should be versions galore on the web, you may also try search for the Kilnamartra Exile though, which is another wellknown song to the same air.

I think Liam O Flynn’s version on yertube is clear and pretty easy to follow (you’ll have to transpose to G though)

I am a lonely exile, that has left his own dear nation,
To seek a situation in a land across the foam;
I sailed across the ocean wide, through hardships and through dangers,
And for years I’ve been a stranger, from my own dear Irish home.
Where once I lived contentedly, the friends I loved surrounded me.
Care nor grief ne’er troubled me, nor made my heart feel sore,
But now my days are over and I’m parted from my country,
And Cill na Martra’s homely face, my eyes shall see no more .

7

Thanks MrGumby

My playing? or do you have hobbits between the ears? :smiley: Probably the former seeing as MTG though the same. The LOTR stuff is nice but has probably been played enough this decade already. I would not knowingly inflict that on the kind folk at C&F.

Thanks for the extra title - I had hope to turn up a web recording, but all I can find is the Liam O Flynn version.

It is a pleasant rendition, but I find it harder to hear the melody over the drone(?). Listening practise needed maybe?
I will try transposing though I am not sure if the tune will go too high for me- I cant do that stuff in my head yet.


Thanks

8

I will try transposing though I am not sure if the tune will go too high for me- I cant do that stuff in my head yet.

It moves between G and a’, shouldn’t be a problem. Just play along with it a few times and you’ll have it. Use the words of the song to sing along in your head.

9

The words will help, but I think (and I am no genius at this) that there is a second octave ‘a’ in the original that will transpose to third octave ‘d’ ? I am not yet good enough to make that note sound pleasant, so playing in G will be strictly for practicing timing/pace/etc.

Thanks for your help - it is appreciated.

10

I think (and I am no genius at this) that there is a second octave ‘a’ in the original that will transpose to third octave ‘d’

I think you may find that is a mistake in the ABC, it should be a first octave A.

That aside, I was referring to Flynn’s playing which doesn’t go beyond a’. Go by what you hear.

Good luck.

11

Ok, thanks, points taken. I have much learning still to do. :blush:

12

I have much learning still to do.

There’s no harm in that, do learn to trust your ear


I will try transposing […] I cant do that stuff in my head yet

Do realise you can take a G whistle (if you have one) and play along as if you’re playing in D the way the notation has it. And adjust for the differences between notation and played version of course.

13

I will have to find someone from whom I can take a G whistle :laughing: . But yes, I am starting down that road with an A whistle on order so that I can play Ashoken Farewell in D using G fingering. My head hurts!

14

Thanks for posting the ABC for Ath Cheim an Fhia. I’ll be putting that into my songbook :smiley: